1994/01/31 by Leonard Susskind, L. Susskind, J. Uglum · 6 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Black Holes and Theoretical Physics #Black hole (networking) #Black hole thermodynamics #Classical mechanics #Cosmology and Gravitation Theories #Entropy (arrow of time) #Extremal black hole #Joint quantum entropy #Mathematical physics #Physics #Quantum #Quantum Electrodynamics and Casimir Effect #Quantum discord #Quantum entanglement #Quantum gravity #Quantum mechanics #Quantum relative entropy #Superstring theory #Supersymmetry #Theoretical physics #gr-qc #hep-th
paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevd.50.2700
published as Phys.Rev.D50:2700-2711,1994 · 30 pages (including figures). (Replaced with version to appear in Physical Review D. Incorrect hep-th number fixed.) SU-ITP-94-1
arxiv created 1994/07/14 · openalex publication_date 1994/08/15 · arxiv updated 2009/11/30 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
In this paper the entropy of an eternal Schwarzschild black hole is studied in the limit of an infinite black hole mass. The problem is addressed from the point of view of both canonical quantum gravity and superstring theory. The entropy per unit area of a free scalar field propagating in a fixed black hole background is shown to be quadratically divergent near the horizon. It is shown that such quantum corrections to the entropy per unit area are equivalent to the quantum corrections to the gravitational coupling. Unlike field theory, superstring theory provides a set of identifiable configurations which give rise to the classical contribution to the entropy per unit area. These configurations can be understood as open superstrings with both ends attached to the horizon. The entropy per unit area is shown to be finite to all orders in superstring perturbation theory. The importance of these conclusions to the resolution of the problem of black hole information loss is reiterated.